22: Recruitment Training - Healing / Secret

Ayleth looked around. The surrounding was dark. Lucky for her, she managed to snatch a fire torch before pursued the path. She walked carefully, protecting her head from getting knocked by the low ceiling above her head.

The place definitely a secluded one. So, what did she expect?

As she slowly walked the path, from afar, she could see lights at the other side of the path. She quickly strude towards the light.

"Aden?"

The man smiled ear to ear. Ayleth jumped on him in happiness. Although, it was only a week since the last time they met each other. Looks like the longing feelings couldn't be hold anymore.

"Are you okay?" Aden pulled back the hug. He turned her body and check on her. When he saw Ayleth's forearms, he frowned.

"Your hands... That's a lot of bruises and blister!"

"I'm okay... Don't worry..."

Aden grabbed Ayleth's hand and ushered her to a spot next to a pond. The glow from the water illuminated the surrounding, creating a natural light.

Aden stared at Ayleth's hand, feeling upset and gloomy. He did understand the nature gruesome training of the Royal Guard. But, he didn't expect it will be this bad.

"I didn't expect it will be so harsh like this. Had I know..."

"I chose this path. I'm not gonna stop," Ayleth touched Aden's hand. But the man quickly revoked her touch and grabbed her hand tight. He looked deep into Ayleth's eyes, lips stuttered. Looks like he wanted to ask something from her.

"Ayleth, can you undress?" Aden carefully asked. Ayleth bit her lips. She winced a bit before slowly pulled her hand. Her finger entwined the rope of her outer robe slowly, revealing her ugly looked, bruised shoulder.

"Ayleth!" Aden frowned. Her injury from the last attack had gone bad, again. The impact of Ayleth holding the sword on her hand for a very long time causing her shoulder to get bruised. She grimaced in pain when Aden touched the skin.

Aden couldn't held any longer. He undressed Ayleth, leaving only a piece of long white cloth that binded her chest. Her whole body revealed the true pain that Ayleth held for the whole week.

"When did the last time you took a shower?" Aden asked.

"A day before coming here..."

"You mean, a week ago..."

Ayleth nodded.

Aden held a big sigh.

"You should take a bath now,"

"But, where? In here?" Ayleth asked. Aden nodded. He checked the pond before allowes Aylety to take a dip in it.

"Is this safe?"

"I think the water comes from the nearby waterfall. So, it's safe," said Aden.

Ayleth stared at Aden. The man turned around, his back was facing Ayleth.

"I won't take a peek,"

"I know you won't..." Ayleth replied calmly. She knew Aden is not that kind of man. He had been living with her for almost months while treating her injuries at Rufus' place. Not even once he took advantage on her.

He is Ayleth's safe zone.

After some time, Ayleth came out from the water. She took the long white cloth and carefully wrapped the cloth around her chest to bind her bosom. Then, she wrapped her body with the robe that she wore before and slowly pulled up the pants.

"You're done?" Aden asked. Ayleth replied him with a hum. Quickly, the man turned around. In his hand, there was a tube of oinment.

Softly, he slid down Ayleth's robe until her shoulder got revealed. He slowly rubbed the ointment on the place where it badly bruised.

"Ouch!"

"Am I pressing too hard?" Aden asked with a concerned face.

"Not really. Maybe it got hurt so bad,"

"You're not recovering yet. And not to mentioned, you used your shoulder a lot," said Aden. He pulled up the robe before shifting to the other side. The side which was even more worst.

"Ah!" Ayleth yelped. Looks like Aden was doing something to pop in the loose side of her shoulder. A few seconds later, Ayleth felt her shoulder is lighter than before.

Aden's eyes linger at Ayleth's chest. Not in a wrong way, more like he was concerned about something else.

"This binder might hold your bosom, but in long term it will cost your health-"

"I have to conceal them or they will find out that I am a lady," Ayleth revoked his concerned comment.

"Tell me if you experience a chest pain, back pain and heavy breath," Aden stopped himself from carry on the conversation. He knew it will lead to nowhere, the more it got dragged, the more painful he felt.

Ayleth was trying to pull up her robe, but Aden stopped her. He took out a long white clothes and a another bottle of oinment. He softly rub the oinment on Ayleth's shoulder and wrapped it with the white cloth.

While wrapping, Ayleth could see a strain of tears slowly appeared from Aden's eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Ayleth quickly grabbed his hand. Aden looked down, supressed his overwhelmed feeling before he continued wrapping her shoulder.

"Aden..."

"I need to be strong. I know you are strong," he replied to Ayleth. They stare at each other after Aden is done with his work.

"This won't be for long. I promise to you, your life will be much more easier after this," Aden rubbed her hair softly.

Ayleth nodded in tiny. She pulled Aden into her embrace and hug him tight. Aden gritted his teeth, supressed his sadness before letting Ayleth go.

His heart broke into pieces when he saw her condition. It wasn't easy for him to let Ayleth lived like this but her knew they have no choice.

How I wish I can give you a better life, Ayleth...

His eyes watch Ayleth disappeared slowly from his sight.

***

It's already dark when Ayleth came out from the secret passage. She carefully stroll along the alley, watching her steps so no one could ever noticed her presence.

The long alley fell into silence, so she decided to light off the torch before entering the quarter's corridor. As she carefully strude, she felt somehow uneasy. She turned back, but no one was there.

Suddenly, a presence grabbed her to the side. She struggled herself to break free from the tight hug. Obviously, it was a man who dragged her away. Because women are not allowed in here.

So, she chose to fight like a man. But end up slammed onto the wall. A unyielding sword held her neck, so close to her vital point.

She got defeated.

"I know there is something suspicious about you..." Ayleth's eyes look up to the voice.

"Eran..."

The man revealed himself, emerged himself from the darkness night.

"Where the hell did you go?"